Broward schools face major technology crisis

By Karen Yi, Sun Sentinel

Broward schools are falling behind when it comes to technology and there's not much they can do about it.

On Tuesday, the School Board discussed its capital budget, that pays for technology, transportation and large construction projects. But with only $35 million to fix a growing number of deteriorating schools, replace an aging bus fleet and secure school campuses, there's not much left for computer upgrades.

"I think this is very frightening for our district," said board chairwoman Laurie Rich Levinson. "There's just absolutely no way in another year we can possibly be where we need to be."

The district can only fund $16 million of its technological needs though the department says at least $59 million is needed.

"It’s really more of a compliance budget, everything we want to do in terms of taking us to the next level, we’ve stripped out," said Tony Hunter, chief information officer for the district.

By the 2014 school year, districts must switch to online testing for state assessments as Florida transitions to the new Common Core curriculum. And though the state recommends schools have one computer for every student, Broward is nowhere near that.

On average, there's about one computer for every 10 students. And having fewer computers means schools need to schedule more time out of the day for testing.

"The testing window is expanding and the instructional window is collapsing," said Hunter.

The current budget will refresh some of the aging computers in the classrooms and give all schools wireless Internet. Currently 29 percent of schools do not have wireless. But even with the capital infusion, 53 percent of schools will be using outdated wireless systems.

"We have schools that are supposedly all wireless but I’m telling you its not happening in the portables," said board member Nora Rupert. "Even inside the building it’s spotty."

Much of the technology changes must be implemented by next school year so they can be properly tested and the appropriate training given to teachers so by 2014, the district will be ready for new the state's new testing requirements.